Dear all, Helen’s update below:
It’s as if everyone’s been waiting to release ringing related news in one week! There’s lots to read and digest – let’s crack on!
Bell Sunday
This month’s diocesan mailing included information about “Bell Sunday”. This is an initiative from the CCCBR, working with the CofE, to encourage churches to recognise their bells and bellringers. Planned to be an annual event on the Sunday nearest St Dunstan’s day, this year it is Sunday 14th May. There’s a webpage with ideas for hymns, readings and other elements that could be incorporated into a service. https://bellsunday.org/ Please support your incumbent if they propose incorporating such elements into a service.
The diocese is keen to put out a news item to support this, for which I need your help! In order to bring some examples and human interest to an item, it would be good to have the perspective of a church that has increased worship as a result of bellringing, or a bellringer for whom bellringing has made a big difference in their lives – perhaps bringing them to faith. With photographs, if possible (which, I am well aware, may well be a stumbling block!) Please get in touch to discuss further.
CCCBR news
The President’s latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/03/30/presidents-blog-77/
The SWM Group is looking for a new leader. The initials stand for Stewardship & Management (not sure that makes the remit much clearer). If that’s your thing, more details can be found here https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/03/29/stewardship-and-management-workgroup-workgroup-leader/
What do you give someone who has everything? I’d say that Ferrero Rocher never disappoint (hint hint), but not everyone agrees. A ringing experience voucher might be what you are looking for. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/03/29/give-the-gift-of-experience/
Old Black Lion
There has ben progress on the Old Black Lion, with the ground being broken at the site (and a celebratory beer being drunk). Items on the BBC and the CCT websites as well as other local press and interested parties.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-65092776
Coronation Ringing
I’m sure that branches and towers are planning their ringing for the Coronation – or will be once there’s a confirmed time for the ceremony.
Once the ringing has taken place, please enter the details on BellBoard – if you are unsure of how to do this, you can join the training session on Saturday 8th April. As well as the global coronation link, please also link to the PDG specific event https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=16512 that has been set up. We will use this to collate ringing across the Guild for the event to record for posterity.
Guild Spring Meeting
A reminder that teams for the 6 bell striking contest at the Spring Meeting need to be with Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 15th April. This opportunity to ring and meet friends includes the 6 bell striking contest for the Weaver shield. If your tower or group wishes to enter a team, the rules and past winners can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/events/competitions
Dates for the Diary
Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 22nd April. 14:00 Open Ringing at Mears Ashby, 15:00 Contest at Orlingbury.
Guild 10 bell practice Saturday 13th May 10:30 Towcester
Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 12th April 7:30 Braunston. Focus Surprise
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15th April 10:30 Ecton Special Methods Annable’s London, Allendale & Alnwick.
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15th April 2:30 Bozeat (Correction: time wrong in last mail)
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 15th April 3:00 Weedon Bec including service, tea & meeting
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15th April 7:30 Chipping Warden
Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 18th April 7:30 Oakham
Kettering Tower open for the Spring Meeting Saturday 22nd April 2:00 Cransley
Culworth Branch 8 bell Practice Saturday 29th April 7:30 Brackley
And finally…
The Peregrine Falcons nesting in Higham Ferrers tower have laid their 4th egg and the chicks are expected to hatch in late April You can see what they are doing through the webcam. https://ashgrovehealth.co.uk/falcons/
That will do for today.
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDGCBR
Website: www.pdg.org.uk
e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk
Telephone: 01832 735 266
Peterborough Branch 